Ellie Scovell, first generation farmer

Not from a farming background? You can be the first farmer in your family just like Ellie Scovell.

Ellie grew up with a dream of working with horses and a passion for animals. However, coming from a non-farming family and facing a lack of opportunities in her community made it challenging for her to pursue this dream. Yet, Ellie didn’t let these obstacles stop her. Through passion and determination, Ellie proved that you can break barriers and carve your own path.

If you find yourself without qualifications or experience in the agricultural sector, you might think it's impossible to enter the field. However, Ellie’s story demonstrates that there are other pathways to success.

Ellie began her journey towards her goal by helping farmers for free. If you have no experience, volunteering and helping local farmers is a great way to get the experience needed. It will also help you decide whether it is the path you want to keep pursuing. This also opens opportunities for you to learn from others who have been in the industry for years, or even decades. 

Ellie’s hard work paid off and she now runs her own beef and calf unit. She also shows support to others who are new to the industry or struggling to get started by giving them advice based on her experiences. She is a strong believer that you should give back to others and work together to build an inclusive future in agriculture as the next generation plays a key role in doing so. 

“I am in the process of moving from Hampshire to Wiltshire, I hope it is the start of a wonderful new journey in farming.”

There are many other stories like Ellie’s that just go to show that you can achieve whatever you want with the right mentality and ambition. To find more inspiration from young farmers, have a look at the Young Farmers and Careers stories.